Babar Awan resigns to plead Bhutto case

Geek

Chief Minister (5k+ posts)
ISLAMABAD: Federal Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Babar Awan presented his resignation before the Supreme Court today during the hearing of reopening of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto trial, Geo News reported.

The minister sought the permission to argue in the case but the court refused by saying that being Law Minister you cannot be allowed to do so. Awan then presented his resignation.

Awan told the court that it is the prime minister's advice that he resign and plead the case. The Chief Justice then asked Babar Awan to present the resignation to concerned authorities and plead the case upon revival of his license.

President Asif Ali Zardari had sent reference to Supreme Court (SC) under article 186 of the constitution. The SC has been prayed in this reference to give its opinion for reopening Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto case. The case be reopened and be heard again, reference added.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=14074
 

omerkashmiri

Siasat.pk - Blogger
I think he pre-empted the NRO case verdict and resigned now otherwise he would have been forced to do so , I think soon you will see Zardari resigning from one of his offices as well.
 

Muhammad Tauseef A. Bajwa

Senator (1k+ posts)
ZA Bhutto case: CJP tells Awan to come prepared

ZA Bhutto case: CJP tells Awan to come prepared
By Express / Rauf Klasra
Published: April 13, 2011

ZA-Bhutto-PHOTO-COURTESY-PPPUSA.ORG_-640x480.jpg

ZA Bhutto during his days of incarceration under the reign of Gen Ziaul Haq. PHOTO COURTESY: PPPUSA.ORG

ISLAMABAD:
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry asked Federal Minister for Law Babar Awan to come prepared for a detailed hearing of the Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto case, after Awan presented his resignation to plead the case on the courts directives.

A three-member bench of the Supreme Court (SC) adjourned the hearing of the presidential reference which was submitted by the law ministry after it was signed by President Asif Ali Zardari earlier this month, until Thursday.

The apex court also asked to appoint 10 more lawyers to help in the case which is being dubbed as the re-trial of the century.

Around 50 parliamentarians of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) were present in the court.

Speaking to the media outside the court, Awan said he did not believe in the politics of revenge and that there was a need to purge the country of injustice.

He said that the PPP had been struggling for 32 years to bring those involved in the case to justice.

Updated from print edition (below)
ZA Bhutto case: PPP gears up for retrial of the century
As the country braces for what could be a tumultuous reopening of one of the darkest chapters of its history, the government has appointed Law Minister Dr Babar Awan as the lawyer for Zulfikar Ali Bhuttos retrial case which starts today (Wednesday) in the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

An expressive Awan pledged that he will quit from his ministerial post if it becomes a hurdle in the way of his pleading the case, which he dubbed the (re)trial of the century. Receiving written orders from the authorities, Awan was on Tuesday officially notified by the law ministry as the legal representative to appear before the apex court today.

President Asif Ali Zardari had sent a reference last week seeking the retrial of the ZA Bhutto case, which culminated in a long-debated guilty verdict over three decades ago ultimately resulting in the hanging of the countrys first elected prime minister in 1979. The presidential reference contended that the late party chairman was not given justice and that the courts today should correct this. The Pakistan Peoples Party government is throwing its entire political weight behind the case, and is set to pull all stops to demonstrate how important the matter is to them.

Awan is to be assisted by the attorney general and deputy attorney generals, secretary law Masood Chisti and a number of other lawyers.

In a late-night meeting at the Prime Minister House, it was also decided that a total of 60 high-level leaders will accompany the law minister to the Supreme Court building. The leaders will include federal ministers as well as representatives from the Senate, National Assembly, the four provincial assemblies and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The contingent of 60 leaders will gather for breakfast at the Parliament House on Wednesday morning, from where they are to march towards the Supreme Court building. For this purpose, the leaders have already arrived in Islamabad. Those that are expected to turn up for proceedings of the case will include Chairman Senate Farooq Naik, Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza, Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah, Chief Minister Balochistan Lashkar Raisani and Speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Khuhro.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Law Minister Dr Babar Awan confirmed his appointment as lawyer in the ZA Bhutto case. Yes, I have been conveyed this officially, and will file the papers [to this effect] in the court on Wednesday.

When questioned how he could fight the case as the serving law minister, Awan replied that he would inform honourable judges that the president, who had sent the reference, had now appointed him, but added that, if anyone raised objections, he would immediately tender his resignation from his post.

For me, its a great honour to be the lawyer of ZAB in his retrial [as compared to] staying a federal minister, because its the trial of the century, said Awan emphatically. He recalled that ZA Bhuttos daughter, the late prime minister Benazir, had once said to him that the cases verdict might have been different if he (Awan) had contested it.

You dont just defend your client, you actually wage war for his or her right in the courtroom, Awan quoted Benazir as telling him during one of her case hearings in the mid 90s.

Sources privy to the consultations in the lead-up to the case said that there was plenty of discussion on who should be sent to the court to fight the case, which is being given tremendous importance by the ruling party. The top leaders, including the president, are said to have chosen the name of the law minister Awan who had actually penned the presidential reference.

Whether the ZAB case should be reopened or revisited this is the question which will be raised in the Courtroom No 1 today, said a senior lawyer.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry is to take up the case. Justice Muhammad Sair Ali and Justice Ghulam Rabbani are the other members of the bench.

Law Ministry sources told The Express Tribune that the government legal team is likely to point out the statement of Justice (retd) Nasim Hassan Shah, who reportedly confessed that there was immense pressure on judges who awarded death penalty to ZAB.

(With additional input by Zahid Gishkori)

Published in The Express Tribune, April 13th, 2011.

http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/ZA-Bhutto-PHOTO-COURTESY-PPPUSA.ORG_-640x480.jpg
 

saeed khan

Chief Minister (5k+ posts)
How beghairat our politicians are.
On Bhutto`s death he distributed sweets and now he has resigned for Bhutto.
And why Zar wants to reopen the case ? after appointing Gelani , Mehmood Qureshi and Babar Awan he has already accepted the SC`s previous decision.
Of course it was a wrong decision but Zar has no moral right to ask SC to reopen the case.
 
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Bilal_Mushi

Minister (2k+ posts)
Saeed Bhai sub say baray beghairat tu PPP jiyalaay hain jo Babar Awan ko apna leader mantay hain.

How beghairat our politicians are.
On Bhutto`s death he distributed sweets and now he has resigned for Bhutto.
And why Zar wants to reopen the case ? after appointing Gelani , Mehmood Qureshi and Babar Awan he has already accepted the SC`s previous decision.
Of course it was a wrong decision but Zar has no moral right to ask SC to reopen the case.
 

Bilal_Mushi

Minister (2k+ posts)
Welldone SC !!!! they forced Awan to resign.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Babar Awan presented his resignation before the Supreme Court today during the hearing of reopening of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto trial, Geo News reported.

The minister sought the permission to argue in the case but the court refused by saying that being Law Minister you cannot be allowed to do so. Awan then presented his resignation.

Awan told the court that it is the prime minister's advice that he resign and plead the case. The Chief Justice then asked Babar Awan to present the resignation to concerned authorities and plead the case upon revival of his license.

President Asif Ali Zardari had sent reference to Supreme Court (SC) under article 186 of the constitution. The SC has been prayed in this reference to give its opinion for reopening Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto case. The case be reopened and be heard again, reference added.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=14074
 

Bilal_Mushi

Minister (2k+ posts)
Awan quits his ministerial post to plead ZAB case


ISLAMABAD: Federal Law Minister Babar Awan presented his resignation to the Supreme Court on Wednesday so it could not become hurdle for him pleading the retrial case of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, DawnNews reported.
“I prioritise the case on the ministry,” said Awan.
Chief Justice Supreme Court, Iftikhar Chaudhry heading the three-judge-bench adjourned the hearing till Thursday.
Chief justice appreciated the move by the senior PPP leader and remarked the gesture as “historic.”
“We are taking the issue very seriously and will give it due importance,” CJ added as he adjourned the hearing till Thursday.
Pakistan Peoples’ Party’s Senator Nayyar Bukhari also appreciated the gesture from the law minister and said that Awan has fulfilled the judicial requirements by resigning from his post.
The apex Court bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Muhammad Sair Ali and Justice Ghulam Rabbani will deal with one of the decision frequently termed by a large section of political stalwarts, jurists and civil society members as “judicial murder” of one of the most popular leader of the country.
The country’s top Court is set to give its opinion on a presidential reference for revisiting the death sentence passed against Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1979. The Reference was sent to the Supreme Court by President Asif Ali Zardari under Article 186 of the Constitution.
 

behzadji

Minister (2k+ posts)
Re: ZA Bhutto case: CJP tells Awan to come prepared

phaansi per Mithai baantnay walay abb case review karawain gay???????????????????????
 

student

Senator (1k+ posts)
Kiya ye khula tazad nahi?

KIya babar Awan wohi shakhs nahi jes ne Bhutto ki phansi per mathayan banti thi.. ? jo kae saal Zia ki kabar ko sallam kerta raha? aaj wohi admi bhutto ka mukadma larnay ke liye resign kerta hay tu PPPP kay jiyalay taliyan peetatay hian aur wohi admi aaj PPP ka hero ban jata hay... munafakat ki bhee intaha ho gayee...(serious)
 

faqira786

Senator (1k+ posts)
Re: Kiya ye khula tazad nahi?

This is our nature. Its Very easy to buy us and change the loyalities

British and american are ruling us for hudred of years and you still ask a STUPID question.

We got this in our forefather. You may not like this but this is a truth
 

Baba jee

Councller (250+ posts)
Re: Kiya ye khula tazad nahi?

KIya babar Awan wohi shakhs nahi jes ne Bhutto ki phansi per mathayan banti thi.. ? jo kae saal Zia ki kabar ko sallam kerta raha? aaj wohi admi bhutto ka mukadma larnay ke liye resign kerta hay tu PPPP kay jiyalay taliyan peetatay hian aur wohi admi aaj PPP ka hero ban jata hay... munafakat ki bhee intaha ho gayee...(serious)

Don't forget to watch coming Thursday's Hasbe Haal
[hilar][hilar][hilar]
 

FaisalKh

Chief Minister (5k+ posts)
Re: Kiya ye khula tazad nahi?

Bhai sahab wo tareeekh teeek karnay jaa raha hai shayad ye wahi koshish ho[hilar] lekin aik baat hai ke Sharam babar awaan ko magar nahi aati... na zardari ko .... na in ke jiyaalon ko .... aur ... aur ... aur... acha baba.....
 

alibaba222

Minister (2k+ posts)
Re: Kiya ye khula tazad nahi?

taqreeban her seyasat dan ke life he kohla tazad he ,mager awam bhee kam nahee he jo aysy zalmoo ko apna hukmaran bana leyti he
 

Muhammad Tauseef A. Bajwa

Senator (1k+ posts)
ZA Bhuttos case: Law minister resigns to appear as counsel

ZA Bhuttos case: Law minister resigns to appear as counsel
By Qaiser Zulfiqar
Published: April 14, 2011
Babar-Awan-PHOTO-INP-640x480.jpg

Babar Awan waves to supporters outside the Supreme Court after the reopening of the ZA Bhutto case. PHOTO: INP

ISLAMABAD:
A coveted cabinet position was sacrificed by Babar Awan, who resigned as federal law minister on Wednesday before a bench hearing the presidential reference on the 1979 judicial murder of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Awan requested the three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry to allow him to appear in the reference. Awan tendered his resignation to the bench after the chief justice observed that he could not be permitted to argue the case as the federal law minister.

The chief justice directed Awan to first present his resignation to the relevant authorities, surrender the portfolio of the law ministry as well as any other offices he holds, renew his licence from the Pakistan Bar Council, and then appear before the court.

I have decided to resign today to appear in this reference in accordance with the rules of the Supreme Court and I have informed the prime minster of my decision, Awan said. He went on to declare, Bhutto and not Babar Awan will represent himself in the case.

The chief justice observed that the case is of historic significance.

A minister had appeared in the case during the dictatorship, he said, referring to General Ziaul Haqs regime. We will not allow history to repeat itself.
Illegal traditions will not be allowed to continue in a democracy, he added. The chief justice remarked that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was a person of international stature who was equally popular in Pakistan and abroad.

We will constitute a larger bench for the presidential reference. If need be, the court will hear this reference day and night, he said. Court assistants will be hired from the provinces and the federation. The hearing of the reference was adjourned until Thursday (today).

After the adjournment, Babar Awan applied to the Pakistan Bar Council for the renewal of his licence and submitted a copy of his resignation. His resignation has been accepted by the acting president and Senate Chairman Farooq Naek.

Babar Awan, who was surrounded by several federal ministers and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) workers, told reporters outside the Supreme Court that his sacrifice of a ministry paled in comparison to the people who had sacrificed their lives. Had I been the prime minister, I would have forsaken the premiership to appear in the reference as a counsel.

It is an honour for me to assist the court in the Bhutto reference, he added
Hearings of the case, which is set to be one of the most high-profile of the year, will be attended by the party leaders of as well.

On April 2, President Asif Ali Zardari sent a reference to the Supreme Court of Pakistan to revisit the case of the judicial murder of the former prime minister. The reference was sent under Article 186 of the Constitution.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 14th, 2011.

http://tribune.com.pk/story/149244/...ed-law-minister-resigns-to-appear-as-counsel/
 

saeed khan

Chief Minister (5k+ posts)
Re: Kiya ye khula tazad nahi?

KIya babar Awan wohi shakhs nahi jes ne Bhutto ki phansi per mathayan banti thi.. ? jo kae saal Zia ki kabar ko sallam kerta raha? aaj wohi admi bhutto ka mukadma larnay ke liye resign kerta hay tu PPPP kay jiyalay taliyan peetatay hian aur wohi admi aaj PPP ka hero ban jata hay... munafakat ki bhee intaha ho gayee...(serious)

If we all know what is Babar Awan`s past then certainly Zardari also knows it and Jiala`s should understand what Zar is doing with their party.
I am sure now only Baigharat Jialas are supporting Zardari whereas all real jialas are against him because appointment of Gelani as PM, Mehmood Qureshi as FM and Babar Awan as LM are enough to understand Zardari`s feelings for Bhuto family.
 

Muhammad Tauseef A. Bajwa

Senator (1k+ posts)
ZA Bhutto case hearing gets underway

ZA Bhutto case hearing gets underway
Published: April 14, 2011
cj-iftikhar-chaudhry-EPA11-128445-131072-149346-640x480.jpg

The chief justice asked Awan to clarify the legal point in the reference. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD:
The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC), while hearing the presidential reference on the 1979 judicial murder of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, said that wasthe courts constitutional responsibility to re-visit the case as ordered by the President.

The reference case was being heard by a three member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. Babar Awan, who was present in court, said that Bhutto had suffered injustices at every stage of the case.

The chief justice asked Awan to clarify the legal point in the reference and asked him not to hurry the re-opening of the case.
The hearing has been adjourned till April 18.

Earlier, Babar Awan had resigned as federal law minister before a bench hearing the presidential reference. He had requested the three-member bench headed by Chaudhry to allow him to appear in the reference. Awan tendered his resignation to the bench after the chief justice observed that he could not be permitted to argue the case as the federal law minister.

On April 2, President Asif Ali Zardari sent a reference to the Supreme Court of Pakistan to revisit the case of the judicial murder of the former prime minister. The reference was sent under Article 186 of the Constitution.

http://tribune.com.pk/story/149346/za-bhutto-case-hearing-gets-underway/
 

Bilal_Mushi

Minister (2k+ posts)
Review of Bhutto case will become a precedent: CJP

Review of Bhutto case will become a precedent: CJP

23965_61580765_big.jpg
Review of Bhutto case will become a precedent: CJP
Babar Awan told the court that the then LHC chief justice, Maulvi Mushtaq, was biased against ZAB.


Babar Awan told the court that Maulvi Mushtaq’s biasness against Bhutto was not hidden to anyone.

During the hearing of the presidential reference about the reopening of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s case, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said that it would become a judicial precedent.

If Bhutto’s case was reopened, every convict in a murder case would file a review petition, the CJP remarked. The CJP directed Awan to give his opinion in the case according to law and hold a debate on point of public importance.

Former law minister Babar Awan, who is pleading ZAB in the court, said that Bhutto was awarded capital punishment on the statement of a sole approver. He said that Justice Maulvi Mushtaq was biased against Bhutto and it was an open secret. Awan maintained that Justice Naseem Hassan Shah had admitted that the court was under pressure in Bhutto case. The case has been adjourned till Monday.

http://www.dunyanews.tv/index.php?key=Q2F0SUQ9MiNOaWQ9MjM5NjU=
 
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